Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC We bring you last week's top former Shockers players who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. Fred VanVleet, a 6'0'' point guard who is 32 years old and graduated from Wichita State University in 2016, where he earned the prestigious All-MVC Player of the Year award, currently plays professionally in the NBA. On Wednesday night, VanVleet played a pivotal role in leading the Houston Rockets to a commanding victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, defeating them decisively with a score of 132-100. His remarkable performance earned him the MVP of the game honors. In that game, VanVleet showcased his all-around skills by scoring an impressive 24 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and dishing out 5 assists. He was flawless at the free throw line, going a perfect 6 for 6, all within 30 minutes of play. Despite the Rockets holding a 7-1 record this season, which may not seem overwhelmingly dominant, it is important to note that the season is still in its early stages, and much can change as the competition progresses. This victory marks an important contribution from VanVleet in his fourth year with the Houston Rockets. His outstanding 24-point effort against a strong Milwaukee Bucks team was instrumental in securing the win and demonstrated his value on the court. Individually, VanVleet is having a very solid season so far, posting impressive statistics. Over five games, he is averaging 13.0 points per game, 4.0 rebounds per game, 6.4 assists per game, and 1.8 steals per game, highlighting his consistent all-around impact on the team’s performance.
#2. Cypriot Darral Willis, a 6'9'' center and 30-year-old Shockers alumnus from the 2018 class, who currently plays professionally in Japan, delivered a standout performance leading the Toyama Grouses to a hard-fought 83-78 victory over the 12th-ranked Chiba Jets (4-9) in the Japanese B.Premier League on Sunday night. Willis was named the MVP of the game, showcasing his dominance on both ends of the floor. In a commanding display, Willis recorded a double-double by scoring 24 points and pulling down an impressive 18 rebounds over 36 minutes of play. Additionally, his all-around contributions included 2 assists, underscoring his versatility and impact on the game. This exceptional performance was instrumental in securing the win for Toyama Grouses, who currently hold an 8-5 record and are positioned fifth in the Eastern Conference standings. This season marks Willis' first year with the Toyama Grouses, and he has quickly established himself as a key player for the team. His outstanding efforts against the Chiba Jets did not go unnoticed, as he was awarded the prestigious Triple-Double Badge by eurobasket.com, recognizing his remarkable all-around contribution and elite level of play. Individually, Willis is enjoying a very productive season, boasting impressive averages of 17.4 points per game (ppg), 9.5 rebounds per game (rpg), 1.9 assists per game (apg), and 1.1 steals per game (spg) across the 13 games he has played so far. Notably, Willis is a naturalized Cypriot, adding an international dimension to his professional career.
#3. Tyson Etienne, a 6'5'' guard and 27-year-old professional basketball player, graduated from Wichita State University in 2022. During his senior year, he earned the prestigious All-AAC Third Team award, highlighting his impressive collegiate performance. Currently playing professionally in France, Etienne has been making a significant impact for Paris Basketball. In a recent Euroleague game on Thursday night, Etienne was the major contributor in Paris Basketball's hard-fought 99-94 victory over the closely-ranked Maccabi Tel-Aviv, who hold a 2-7 record. Despite playing only 19 minutes, he efficiently scored 13 points, grabbed one rebound, and provided one assist, demonstrating his ability to influence the game in limited time. This crucial performance helped his team secure an important win in a highly competitive matchup. Paris Basketball currently holds a 3-6 record and is placed 16th in the Euroleague standings. Over the course of the season, Etienne has maintained relatively strong statistics, averaging 15.0 points per game, 1.4 rebounds per game, and 2.8 assists per game across eight games. His consistent contributions have been vital for his team's efforts in the league.
#4. Rashard Kelly, a 6'8'' power forward and a 31-year-old Shockers alumnus from the 2018 class—who also earned the iBALL National Pro Combine All-Star award that same year—currently plays professional basketball in Turkey. In a recent game on Sunday night, Kelly led his team, Pinar Karsiyaka SK Izmir, to a narrow 86-83 victory over Bursaspor, one of the league's weakest teams with a 1-5 record, in the highly competitive Turkish ING Basketbol Super Ligi. Kelly was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the game, delivering an outstanding performance by scoring 18 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and providing 4 assists over the course of 36 minutes on the court. His contributions were instrumental in securing the hard-fought 3-point win for Pinar Karsiyaka SK Izmir. Currently in his first season with Pinar Karsiyaka SK Izmir, Kelly has helped the team achieve a balanced 3-3 record, placing them seventh in the league standings. Throughout this season, he has maintained solid individual statistics, averaging 11.5 points per game, 4.0 rebounds per game, 1.8 assists per game, and an impressive 2.2 steals per game, which ranks as the second-best mark in the entire league after six games played. Kelly’s consistent and impactful play highlights his importance to the team and his ability to perform at a high level in a competitive league, further cementing his reputation as a key player to watch in professional basketball.
#5. Dexter Dennis, a 6'6'' guard and 27-year-old professional basketball player, has had an impressive journey in the sport. He graduated from Texas A&M in 2023, having previously played for Wichita State University between 2018 and 2022. During his time at Wichita State, Dennis earned the prestigious All-AAC Defensive Player of the Year award, highlighting his defensive prowess. Currently, he is playing professionally in Japan. Dennis is a key player for Shimane Susanoo Magic, a team that currently holds a 4-8 record and is positioned tenth in the Western Conference standings. In their most recent game, Shimane Susanoo Magic narrowly lost 86-85 on the road against the second-ranked Sendai 89ers. Despite the team's defeat, Dennis delivered a standout performance, leading all scorers with 25 points. He also contributed significantly across the board, securing 7 rebounds, dishing out 5 assists, and making 3 steals over 37 minutes of play. This loss marked Shimane Susanoo Magic's fourth consecutive defeat, a tough stretch for the team. It is worth noting that this season is Dennis' first with Shimane, and he has quickly established himself as a vital contributor. Throughout the 12 games he has played so far, Dennis has maintained impressive averages of 20.3 points per game, 4.9 rebounds per game, and 2.3 assists per game, showcasing his well-rounded abilities on both offense and defense. While Dennis' individual performances have been consistently strong, the team has struggled to translate his efforts into wins. Nonetheless, his impact on the court remains undeniable, and he continues to be a cornerstone for Shimane Susanoo Magic as they seek to improve their standing in the league.
#6. Landry Shamet, a 6'4" point guard and 29-year-old professional basketball player, is an alumnus of the Wichita State Shockers, having graduated in 2018. During his collegiate career, he earned the prestigious All-AAC First Team award in that same year, highlighting his exceptional talent and contribution to the team. Currently playing in the NBA, Shamet recently showcased his skills in a thrilling Wednesday night game, where he led the New York Knicks to a hard-fought 133-127 victory against the Chicago Bulls. In that game, Shamet delivered a standout performance by scoring an impressive 14 points, while also contributing 5 assists and grabbing 1 rebound over the course of 33 minutes on the court. His sharp shooting and playmaking were instrumental in securing the win, demonstrating his ability to impact the game significantly on both ends. Throughout this season, Shamet has maintained solid statistics, averaging 7.7 points per game, 1.5 rebounds per game, and 2.2 assists per game over six contests. These numbers reflect his consistency and value as a reliable contributor to his team's success. Shamet’s combination of experience, skill, and leadership continues to make him a vital asset for the New York Knicks in their pursuit of excellence in the NBA.
#7. Croatian player Matej Bosnjak, a 6'9'' center and 24-year-old graduate of Wichita State University in 2025, currently plays professionally in Bosnia. On Wednesday night, he played a pivotal role in leading Siroki to a commanding 90-71 victory over the tenth-ranked Mladost in the Bosnia and Herzegovina Division I league. Bosnjak delivered an impressive performance, scoring 13 points and securing 8 rebounds in just 19 minutes of play. His contributions extended beyond scoring, as he also provided 2 assists, demonstrating his all-around impact on the game. Throughout this season, Bosnjak has maintained solid statistics, averaging 10.6 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per game, and 1.6 assists per game over the course of five games, highlighting his consistent and valuable presence on the court.
#8. Colombian basketball player Jaime Echenique, a 6'11" center and 29-year-old Shockers alumnus from the 2020 class who earned the All-AAC Second Team award that same year, is currently playing professionally in Italy. Recently, Echenique competed with his team, Reggio Emilia, in a challenging matchup against Treviso. Despite his solid individual performance, where he contributed 6 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and made 2 blocks in just 19 minutes of play, Reggio Emilia was unable to overcome Treviso and ultimately lost the game 68-81. Throughout the game, Echenique demonstrated his skills and presence on the court, delivering a commendable effort that highlighted his abilities as a center. His contributions were valuable, yet they fell short of turning the tide in favor of his team. This season, Echenique has been maintaining relatively strong statistics, averaging 10.3 points per game and 4.7 rebounds per game over six contests, showcasing his consistent impact in the professional league in Italy.
#9. Swedish player Kenny Pohto, a 6'11'' forward aged 24, is a promising talent who graduated from UCSB in 2025. Prior to that, he played collegiate basketball at Wichita State University between 2021 and 2024. Currently, Pohto is playing professionally in Lithuania. In a recent game, he was unable to help his team, Juventus, overcome Jonava. Pohto delivered a solid individual performance, recording 6 points, grabbing 5 rebounds, and providing 1 assist in 19 minutes of play. Despite his valuable contributions on the court, Juventus fell short and lost the game with a final score of 82-94. Over the course of this season, Pohto has been averaging 3.9 points per game, 3.9 rebounds per game, and 1.6 assists per game across eight games, showcasing his consistent impact as a versatile forward.
#10. Markis McDuffie, a 6'8'' power forward and 29-year-old Shockers alumnus from the 2019 class, who earned the All-AAC Second Team award that year, is currently playing professional basketball in Israel. In a recent game, McDuffie was unable to help his team, M.Ashdod, overcome their opponents, Hapoel Beer Sheva. Despite his efforts, he recorded 9 points and pulled down 5 rebounds over 29 minutes of play. Unfortunately, his team fell short, losing the closely contested match 88-92. McDuffie delivered an impressive individual performance against Hapoel Be'er Sheva, demonstrating his scoring ability and presence on the boards. Although his strong contribution was notable, it was not enough to lead M.Ashdod to victory. Through four games this season, McDuffie is averaging 8.0 points per game, 5.8 rebounds per game, 1.3 assists per game, and 2.0 steals per game, showcasing his well-rounded skills and consistent impact on both ends of the floor.
Other former Wichita State University players, who play in pro basketball:
Craig Porter Jr. (6'2''-G-2000) plays for Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA
Gus Okafor (6'7''-F-1999, played in 2022-23) played for Newcastle Eagles in British SLB
Rauno Nurger (6'10''-C-1993, played in 2014-18) plays for Tartu in Estonian KML
Ronnie DeGray III (6'6''-F-2000, played in 2023-25) signed for Ventspils in Latvian LBL
Joe Ragland (6'0''-PG-1989, played in 2010-12) played for M.Raanana in Israeli National League
Dalen Ridgnal (6'7''-F-2001, played in 2023-24) signed for Queluz in Portuguese Liga Betclic
Xavier Bell (6'3''-G-2002, played in 2022-25) signed for Nuernberg Falcons BC in German ProA
Malcolm Armstead (6'1''-PG-1989, played in 2011-11) signed for Sigal Prishtina in Kosovan Superliga
Justin Hill (5'11''-PG-2001, played in 2024-25) plays for Union NE in Swiss SBL
Quincy Ballard (7'0''-C-2001, played in 2022-25) signed for Sabah in Azerbaijani ABL
Kadeem Coleby (6'9''-C/F-1989, played in 2012-12) played for Rockets in Bahamas NPBA
Clevin Hannah (5'11''-G-1987, played in 2008-10) plays for Lobos in Mexican LNBP
Tekele Cotton (6'2''-SG-1993, played in 2011-15) plays for Lobos in Mexican LNBP
Morris Udeze (6'9''-F/C-1999, played in 2018-22) signed for YKE in Taiwanese PLeague+
Zach Brown (6'6''-G/F-1995, played in 2014-18) plays for Freseros Irapuato in Mexican LNBP
A.J. McGinnis (6'4''-G-2001, played in 2024-25) signed for Team Newcastle University in British BCB
Cleanthony Early (6'7''-F-1991, played in 2012-14) plays for Indian Railways in Indian INBL
Bijan Cortes (6'2''-G-2003, played in 2023-25) plays for Ads Sentinels in the TBL
Conner Frankamp (6'1''-PG-1995, played in 2014-14) plays for Aftershocks - Wichita State Alumni in the The Basketball Tournament
Samajae Haynes-Jones (6'1''-PG-1996, played in 2017-19) signed for Decka Pelplin in Polish 1Liga
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Wichita State University basketball alumni.
|
|
|
Ex-Players
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
